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Air New Zealand Reprimanded Over Sexist Safety Video

As a frequent flier, I’ve become accustomed to tuning out the boring, rehashed safety demonstrations. I know I’m not the only one, as it only takes a quick glance around to see people with their heads bowed pouring over their books, people staring out the round windows, and others resting their tired eyes with head in hand. Apparently Air New Zealand also noticed this plight and teamed up with Sports Illustrated to make a more “exciting” safety video with bikini clad models.

Unfortunately everyone involved failed to consider how these sexed up, objectified beauties would be received by the female population.

Regardless of the objectification criticism, the entire video is weirdly cringe-worthy and awkward. Why are you giving me that flirty smile when telling me to obey illuminated signs? Odd.

The video immediately sparked online outrage, with Natasha Young of Australia among the most notable after starting an online petition calling for its removal and saying the video was “an excuse to objectify the sexualised female body.” The petition sparked outcry on Twitter with the hashtag #AirNZsexism and attracted more than 11,000 signatures.

Just this weekend, Air New Zealand pulled the video from rotation, though denied it was the result of public outcry. A spokesperson for Air New Zealand told The New Zealand Herald that the airline rotates their safety videos every few months and suggested that this change was not dissimilar from any others.